Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi's cooperative flats spark fresh row

NEW DELHI: An inquiry into a complaint against police commissioner BS Bassi for allegedly having purchased two flats in different group housing societies, which is illegal according to the Delhi Cooperative Societies Act, has sparked off another massive row between the state and Delhi Police.

The matter was raised in the assembly on Friday where deputy CM Manish Sisodia said that strict action would be initiated against all those found guilty in the matter.

Government sources said that a complaint had been received against illegal construction in Lucky Home cooperative group housing society in Rohini. During preliminary investigations, the flat in question was found to belong to Bassi's relative.

"The allegation is that Bassi was given membership of the society in 1990 by expelling another member and not following any rules," said a Delhi government official. "Secondly, as per rule 36 of the DCS Rules 1973, equalisation charges are taken from a member enrolled at an advanced stage of construction at 24 per cent per annum. The society did not impose any such charge on Bassi, who was then DCP of north district."

When BJP MLA Vijender Gupta asked for details, Sisodia claimed that files relating to this case in the registrar's office were found missing during investigation.

According to sources, it has been alleged that Bassi never lived in flat 39 allotted to him in Lucky co-operative society. "A close relative of Bassi's has been living in the flat and the flat was sold to this person in 2008 for Rs 11 lakh," they said.

In 1998, Bassi allegedly purchased another flat in the Civil Service Officers Welfare Society and it is alleged that he did not inform either Lucky housing society or the Civil Services Welfare Society about this deal.

"This was done to bypass clauses 5 (iv), 8 (ii) and 8 (vi) of the by-laws according to which Bassi's membership in Lucky housing society would have been cancelled," alleged a senior government official.

TOI could not independently verify any of these allegations which are now the subject of an inquiry.

The matter rocked the assembly with AAP MLAs seeking action against the top cop. The government has shared an extremely tense equation with Bassi, accusing him of acting at the behest of the BJP government in the Centre. Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, who initiated the discussion, said, "A thorough investigation should be carried out in the matter."